Convertible electrical device cover and method for installing same

ABSTRACT

A convertible electrical device cover including a base and an adapter coupled as an assembly and configured to accommodate an electrical device. When the convertible electrical device cover is placed in an operative position over the electrical device the adapter may be located between the electrical device and a rear of the base. In particular implementations, a portion of the adapter may be located behind the yoke of the electrical device. The adapter may be movably coupled to the base. A method for installing a convertible electrical device cover is also disclosed including placing the convertible electrical device cover in an operative position over an electrical device so that an adapter may be located between the electrical device and a rear of a base.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of the earlier patentapplication entitled, “Convertible Electrical Device Cover and Methodfor Installing Same,” Ser. No. 11/622,385, filed Jan. 11, 2007, which isa continuation of the earlier patent application entitled “ConvertibleElectrical Device Cover and Method for Installing Same”, Ser. No.11/548,047, filed Oct. 10, 2006, which is a continuation of the earlierpatent application entitled “Convertible Electrical Device Cover andMethod for Installing Same”, Ser. No. 11/257,888, filed Oct. 24, 2005,which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,119,277 on Oct. 10, 2006, which is acontinuation of the earlier patent application entitled “ConvertibleElectrical Device Cover and Method for Installing Same”, Ser. No.10/881,288, filed Jun. 29, 2004, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,987,225on Jan. 17, 2006, which application is a continuation of the earlierpatent application entitled “Convertible Electrical Device Cover andMethod for Installing Same”, Ser. No. 10/700,737, filed Nov. 3, 2003,which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,770,816 on Aug. 3, 2004, whichapplication is a continuation of the earlier patent application entitled“Convertible Electrical Device Cover and Method for Installing Same”,Ser. No. 09/948,920, filed Sep. 7, 2001, which issued as U.S. Pat. No.6,642,453 on Nov. 4, 2003, the disclosures of which are all herebyincorporated herein by reference.

This application also claims priority to earlier patent applicationentitled “Fast-Mount Electrical Device Cover Plate,” Ser. No. 60/945,186filed Jun. 20, 2007, earlier patent application entitled “ElectricalCover Plate with Sliding and Locking Base,” Ser. No. 60/972,011 filedSep. 13, 2007, and earlier patent application entitled “Fast MountElectrical Device Frame with Snap-In Cover,” Ser. No. 60/972,376 filedSep. 14, 2007, the disclosures of which are all hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

This invention generally relates to covers for electrical devices, andmore specifically relates to a convertible electrical device cover andmethod for installing same.

2. Background Art

Electrical devices used in conjunction with electrical device boxes varyand include electrical outlets (both standard and ground fault currentinterrupts), light switches (both toggle and rocker plates), rounds, andcable television and/or telephone ports. Conventional covers forelectrical device boxes are designed to try and prevent inadvertentaccess to the electrical conductive elements of electrical devices andto hide associated wiring. Each type of electrical device requiresdifferent dimensioned access openings in a cover to accommodate it.However, conventional covers usually are non-convertible in theirdesign, and therefore, each electrical device requires a different typeof conventional cover configured for it. Moreover, conventional coversusually are not capable of use with both single-gang and/or double-gangelectrical device configurations. Thus, to install or service electricaldevices, an electrician must carry several types of conventional coversto each site, which are time consuming and inefficient to install.

Another problem currently facing conventional covers may involve safetyissues. For safety, the electrical device should at least be flush withaccess openings in plastic covers, and the electrical device shouldprotrude through access openings in metal covers. Many conventionalcovers and related cover assemblies may be unsafe based on this fact.For example, some cover assemblies are designed to have a base separatean insert from the electrical device. Such a cover assembly may beunsafe if the thickness of the base is too great, the electrical devicemay not protrude far enough to be flush with or extend through theplastic or metal cover access openings respectively.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, what is needed is an electrical device cover that overcomesthe drawbacks of conventional non-convertible covers, such as theinability of safely protecting electrical devices in varyingorientations and in a variety of styles and sizes, through a cover thatmay interchangeably and safely accommodate virtually all commonlyencountered electrical devices used in conjunction with electricaldevice boxes. The invention has the advantage of being able to solvethese problems through a convertible electrical device cover that isadaptable to safely accommodate a plurality of electrical devices in aplurality of orientations.

The convertible electrical device cover includes a base plate configuredto safely accommodate an electrical device. The base plate may furtherinclude at least one removable tab that, upon removal, allows conversioninto or formation of at least one access opening that is configured toaccommodate at least one electrical device. In an embodiment, the baseplate may include a pair of removable tabs that, upon removal, allowconversion into or formation of a pair of access openings for receivinga duplex electrical outlet. A removable center tab that separates thepair of access openings, as well as four corner tabs, may also beincluded in the embodiment. The center and corner tabs may be removed toform an access opening for receiving a ground fault current interrupteroutlet. Additionally, a pair of flanking tabs forming portions of thepair of access openings may be included as well in the embodiment, whichmay also be removed to form a larger access opening. Therefore, the baseplate may be a “blank” comprising a continuous network of removabletabs, the removal of which may convert the base plate to accommodate aplurality of electrical devices.

The convertible electrical device cover also includes an adapter plateconfigured to safely accommodate an electrical device. The adapter platemay be located between the electrical device and a rear side of the baseplate when the convertible electrical device cover is placed in anoperative position over the electrical device. Alternatively, the baseplate may be located between the electrical device and a rear side ofthe adapter plate when the convertible electrical device cover is placedin an operative position over the electrical device. In either of thesealternative embodiments, a front face of the electrical device may be atleast flush with a front side of the adapter plate, thereby ensuring asafer operating condition. In another embodiment, the adapter plate maybe configured to abut the base plate on all sides of a larger accessopening formed by removal of the pair of removable tabs and the center,corner, and flanking removable tabs of the exemplary base plateembodiment generally described above.

The adapter plate may further include at least one removable tab that,upon removal, allows conversion into or formation of at least one accessopening that is configured to accommodate at least one electricaldevice. In an embodiment, the adapter plate may include features similarto the pair of removable tabs and the removable center, corner, andflanking tabs of the exemplary base plate embodiment generally describedabove. In another adapter plate embodiment, the adapter plate mayinclude a removable tab that, upon removal, allows conversion into orformation of an access opening configured to accommodate a toggleswitch. A substantially circular removable tab defining the accessopening may also be included in the embodiment. The substantiallycircular removable tab may be removed to form a substantially circularaccess opening for receiving a round outlet. A substantially annularremovable tab encompassing the substantially circular removable tab maybe included as well in the embodiment, which may be removed to form alarger substantially circular access opening for receiving a largerround outlet. Therefore, the adapter plate may be a “blank” comprising acontinuous network of removable tabs, the removal of which may convertthe adapter plate to accommodate a plurality of electrical devices.

The convertible electrical device cover may further include an engagingmechanism. When a convertible electrical device cover is placed in anoperative position over an electrical device, the engaging mechanism maybe configured to either removably couple a front side of the adapterplate to a rear side of the base plate facing the electrical device, orremovably couple a rear side of the adapter plate to a front side of thebase plate, so that a front face of the electrical device may be held inat least a flush engagement with the front side of the adapter plate.The engaging mechanism may also be configured to position the adapterplate to accommodate an electrical device positioned in a plurality oforientations.

In another embodiment, the engaging mechanism may include opposingprotrusions on a rear side of the base plate facing the electricaldevice, the opposing protrusions defining receiving notches positionedinwardly toward one another. Pins may also be provided that may beremovably coupled to and extend outwardly from opposing sides of theadapter plate, the pins configured to removably couple into thereceiving notches defined in the opposing protrusions so that a frontside of the adapter plate may be removably coupled to a rear side of thebase plate and a front face of the electrical device may be held in atleast a flush engagement with the front side of the adapter plate.

In yet another embodiment, the engaging mechanism may include a recess.The recess may be defined in a rear side of a base plate facing anelectrical device so that a front side of an adapter plate may beremovably coupled into the recess, thereby holding a front face of theelectrical device in at least a flush engagement with the front side ofan adapter plate. Alternatively, the recess may be defined in a frontside of a base plate so that a rear side of an adapter plate may beremovably coupled into the recess and a front face of the electricaldevice may be held in at least a flush engagement with the front side ofan adapter plate.

In still another embodiment, the engaging mechanism may includeelectrical device box screws and opposing top and bottom key holes thatextend fully through the adapter plate and that align with underlyingopposing top and bottom key holes in the base plate. The electricaldevice box screws may extend through the key holes in both the adapterand base plates and into the electrical device box screws holes so thata rear side of the adapter plate may be removably coupled to a frontside of the base plate and a front face of the electrical device may beheld in at least a flush engagement with the front side of the adapterplate.

The invention also includes a method for installing a convertibleelectrical device cover according to the present invention. Generally,the installation method may include the step of placing the convertibleelectrical device cover in an operative position over an electricaldevice so as to locate an adapter plate between the electrical deviceand a rear side of a base plate. Alternatively, the installation methodmay include the steps of: removing at least one removable tab of a baseplate that is configured to accommodate at least one electrical device,thereby converting the base plate to accommodate at least one electricaldevice; removing at least one removable tab of an adapter plate that isconfigured to accommodate at least one electrical device, therebyconverting the adapter plate to accommodate the at least one electricaldevice; and placing the convertible electrical device cover in anoperative position over an electrical device so as to locate a baseplate between the electrical device and a rear side of an adapter plate.In either of these alternative installation method embodiments, a frontface of the electrical device may be at least flush with a front side ofthe adapter plate, thereby ensuring a safer operating condition.

The alternative installation method embodiments may further include thesteps of: either utilizing an engaging mechanism to removably couple afront side of an adapter plate to a rear side of a base plate facing theelectrical device, or utilizing an engaging mechanism to removablycouple a rear side of an adapter plate to a front side of a base plate,so that a front face of the electrical device may be held in at least aflush engagement with the front side of the adapter plate; and/orutilizing an engaging mechanism to position an adapter plate toaccommodate a plurality of orientations of an electrical device.

The electrical device cover includes a base assembly with at least oneopening large enough to receive the face of an electrical device throughit. The base assembly is configured so that after the base assembly isinstalled on an electrical device, the opening in the base assemblysurrounds the face of the electrical device. In an embodiment, the baseassembly includes an adapter plate coupled to a base plate so that theadapter plate is behind a front surface of the base plate. In anotherembodiment, at least a portion of the adapter extends into the openingin the base. In still another embodiment, the adapter slidably coupleswith the base. The adapter plate may be configured so that it extendsbehind a yoke of the electrical device after the base assembly isinstalled. In another embodiment, at least a portion of the adaptercompletes the definition of the opening in the base. The base assemblyincludes at least one box mounting screw slot that is configured toaccommodate at least one electrical device box mounting screw. The boxmounting screw is accessible for selective tightening, loosening andadjustment of the base assembly after the base assembly is installed.The electrical device cover may further include a box mounting screwslot that is a reentrant slot. In an embodiment, the box mounting screwslot may be a keyhole mounting screw slot.

In yet another embodiment, the adapter plate is removably coupled to thebase. In this embodiment, the adapter plate is removably coupled to arear side of the base. Also in this embodiment, the adapter plate isremovably coupled to the base through a slot in the base. The adapterplate may further be slidably coupled with the slot in the base.

In another embodiment, the base assembly includes an adapter movablycoupled with a base and positioned so that the adapter is behind thefront surface of the base. The adapter plate may be configured so thatit extends behind a yoke of the electrical device after the baseassembly is installed. The base includes an opening large enough toreceive the face of an electrical device through it. The base includesat least one box mounting screw slot. In one embodiment, the electricaldevice cover may further include a box mounting screw slot that is areentrant slot. In another embodiment, the box mounting screw slot maybe a keyhole mounting screw slot. The box mounting screw may be madeaccessible for selective tightening, loosening and adjustment of thebase assembly after the base assembly is installed. The electricaldevice cover may include a lid hingedly coupled to the base assembly.The base assembly is configured so that after the base assembly isinstalled on an electrical device, the opening in the base surrounds theface of the electrical device. In this embodiment, the adapter slidablycouples with the base.

The invention also includes a method for installing an electrical devicebase assembly on an electrical device. Generally, the installationmethod may include the step of placing the electrical device cover in anoperative position over an electrical device so that the face of theelectrical device extends through the opening of the base. Theinstallation method may further include the step of coupling an adapterplate behind a front side of a base plate through an engaging mechanism.The installation method may also include the step of moving the adapterplate with respect to the base in order to couple the base to theelectrical device. The method may also include the step of placing aportion of the adapter plate behind a yoke of the electrical device andaround a box mounting screw for the electrical device.

In another embodiment, the electrical device cover includes an openingthrough it shaped to receive a first electrical device of a firstelectrical device type. In this embodiment, the opening may include aremovable tab on its periphery where the removal of the tab modifies theopening to be sized and shaped to receive a second electrical devicetype different from the first type.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will beapparent from the following more particular description of embodimentsof the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention and embodiments will hereinafter be described inconjunction with the appended drawings, where like designations denotelike elements, and:

FIG. 1 is a rear view of a convertible electrical device cover of thepresent invention illustrating an adapter plate on a rear side of a baseplate, the convertible electrical device cover for a single-gangelectrical device configuration;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of a convertible electrical device cover of thepresent invention illustrating an adapter plate on a rear side of a baseplate, the convertible electrical device cover for a two-gang electricaldevice configuration;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of a base plate of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a rear view of a base plate of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a rear view of a base plate of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is perspective view illustrating the placement of an adapterplate, with respect to an electrical device and a base plate, when aconvertible electrical device cover of the present invention is to beplaced in an operative position over the electrical device;

FIG. 9 is partially broken away side view of a convertible electricaldevice cover of the present invention placed in an operative positionover an electrical device, thereby illustrating that a front face of theelectrical device may protrude far enough to at least be flush with afront side of an adapter plate;

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of a convertible electrical devicecover of the present invention illustrating an adapter plate on a rearside of a base plate;

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of a convertible electrical devicecover of the present invention illustrating an adapter plate in a recessin a rear side of a base plate;

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of a convertible electrical devicecover of the present invention illustrating an adapter plate on a frontside of a base plate;

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of a convertible electrical devicecover of the present invention illustrating an adapter plate in a recessin a front side of a base plate;

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of another implementation of aconvertible electrical device cover illustrating an adapter that fitsinto a slot in the base behind a front surface of the base;

FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of the implementation of FIG. 14mounted to an electrical device;

FIG. 16 is a front plan view of yet another implementation of aconvertible electrical device cover illustrating an adapter that couplesto the base so that the box mounting screw slot is behind the frontsurface of the base;

FIG. 17 is a first front perspective view of still yet anotherimplementation of a convertible electrical device cover illustratingadapter that fits into a slot at the base but remains entrained by thebase throughout sliding operation;

FIG. 18 is a second front perspective view of the implementation of FIG.17 illustrating the mounting process for this implementation; and

FIG. 19 is a third front perspective view of the implementation of FIG.17 illustrating the adapter moved into mounting position.

DESCRIPTION

Generally, a convertible electrical device cover adaptable to safelyaccommodate a plurality of electrical devices in a plurality oforientations is provided. The convertible electrical device cover mayinterchangeably, yet safely, accommodate virtually all commonlyencountered styles and sizes of electrical devices used in conjunctionwith electrical device boxes. The convertible electrical device coverincludes an assembly comprising a base plate and an adapter plate, bothconfigured to safely accommodate an electrical device. When theconvertible electrical device cover is placed in an operative positionover the electrical device, either the adapter plate may be locatedbetween the electrical device and a rear side of the base plate facingthe electrical device, or the base plate may be located between anelectrical device and a rear side of the adapter plate, so that a frontface of the electrical device may be at least flush with a front side ofthe adapter plate.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, 4, and 6-13 specifically, convertible electricaldevice cover 100 includes base plate 110 with front and rear sides thatis configured to safely accommodate an electrical device. Base plate 110may be generally substantially rectangular (e.g. base plate 110 of FIGS.1, 4, 6-13 for a single-gang electrical device configuration) orsubstantially square (e.g. base plate 110 of FIG. 2 for a two-gangelectrical device configuration). However, other polygonal, circular,and the like base plate 150 shapes are within the scope of thisinvention.

Base plate 110 may further include at least one removable tab that, uponremoval, allows conversion into or formation of at least one accessopening that is configured to accommodate at least one electricaldevice. Thus, base plate 110 may be a “blank” comprising a continuousnetwork of removable tabs, the removal of which may convert base plate110 to accommodate a plurality of electrical devices. Alternatively,base plate 110 may include at least one access opening that isconfigured to safely accommodate at least one electrical device. Ineither of these alternative embodiments, the at least one access openingof base plate 110 may be generally substantially rectangular orsubstantially square, although other polygonal, circular, and the likeshapes are within the scope of this invention, and the at least oneaccess opening may be of sufficient size to accommodate one or moreelectrical devices in a plurality of styles and orientations. Forexample, base plate 110 with the at least one access opening may beconfigured to accommodate at least two electrical devices, such as inthe two-gang electrical device configuration of convertible electricaldevice cover 200 in FIG. 2.

Turning to FIGS. 4, 6, and 7, base plate configurations 400, 600, and700 illustrate an embodiment of base plate 110. Referring to base plateconfiguration 400 in FIG. 4, base plate 110 may include a pair ofremovable tabs (not shown) that, upon removal, allow conversion into orformation of a pair of access openings 130 for receiving a duplexelectrical outlet for example. Alternatively, base plate 110 may alreadyinclude access openings 130 for receiving a duplex electrical outlet.Removable center tab 114 separating and forming portions of accessopenings 130 may be included, along with removable corner tabs 116 alsoforming portions of access openings 130. Additionally, removableflanking tabs 120, also forming portions of access openings 130, may beincluded as well. As depicted in base plate configuration 600 in FIG. 6,removable center tab 114 and removable corner tabs 116 may be removedalong grooves 118 as desired to form access opening 132 for receiving aground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet for example. Removableflanking tabs 120 may also be removed along grooves 118 to form largeraccess opening 134 for receiving adapter plate 150, as depicted in baseplate configuration 700 in FIG. 7.

Not withstanding the foregoing, many other combinations of removabletabs may be defined by base plate 110 according to the presentinvention, the removal of which may convert base plate 110 toaccommodate a plurality of electrical devices. For example, base plate110 may include removable tabs that yield access openings to receive arocker-type light switch, a modular phone jack, a cable televisionoutlet, or other electrical device. Additionally, the present inventionmay provide base plate 110 to be extremely versatile, such as in theco-pending patent application to Shotey et al. entitled “UNIVERSAL COVERPLATE,” Ser. No. 09/657,352, filed Sep. 7, 2000, which is incorporatedherein by reference. Thus, base plate 110 may include sets of removabletabs that are configured to form access openings to receive a variety ofelectrical devices. The tab sets are bounded by tab set periphery linesthat may intersect each other, and the resulting access openings arebounded by access opening periphery lines that may intersect each other.Tab sets and potential access openings may overlap or they may includeother tab sets or potential access openings. Also, any of severaldifferent combinations of the tab sets described in the previouslyincorporated reference may be provided within base plate 110. Thus, forexample, a top duplex tab set, a bottom duplex tab set, a light switchtab set, a small single round tab set, a larger single round tab set,and a GFCI tab set may all be provided together within base plate 110.Thus, the present invention may provide a large variety of possible baseplate 110 configurations without requiring a user to stock severaldifferent electrical device covers.

In FIGS. 4 and 6, the pair of removable tabs (not shown) and removabletabs 114, 116, and 120 are connected to base plate 110 by grooves 118(shown by dark lines). Grooves 118 define the pair of removable tabs(not shown) and removable tabs 114, 116, and 120 since removal of thepair of removable tabs (not shown) and tabs 114, 116, and 120 may beaccomplished by breaking the material along grooves 118. By applicationof impact force, prying, or the like to a location anywhere within oradjacent to grooves 118, the pair of removable tabs (not shown) andremovable tabs 114, 116, and 120 may be removed as desired. Thedimensions and shape of grooves 118 may vary depending on the materialused for the pair of removable tabs (not shown) and tabs 114, 116, and120 and base plate 110. For example, referring to FIG. 5, if base plate110, the pair of removable tabs (not shown), and tabs 114, 116, and 120are made from a polymer such as polycarbonate, grooves 118 may includefront grooves 117 extending inwardly from the front side of base plate110 and an opposing rear groove 119 extending inwardly from the rearside of base plate 110. Alternatively, the pair of removable tabs (notshown) and removable tabs 114, 116, and 120 may be connected byconnecting tabs or snap-in connections for example in place of grooves118. As shown in FIG. 5, the front grooves 117 overlap at least aportion of the rear grooves 119, but the innermost groove peaks of boththe front and rear grooves 117 and 119 are offset from each other inthis embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 10-13, base plate 110 definesvarious holes for receiving mounting screws that may be utilized tofacilitate placing convertible electrical device cover 100 in anoperative position over the electrical device. Different holes may beused depending on the configuration of the holes to which base plate 110will be secured. Mounting holes are generally sized and configured toconform to the standards for electrical devices and boxes. Each of thesealternate mounting access openings are provided for user convenience andto provide a high degree of latitude in the way base plate 110 may beattached to electrical devices. One or more of the mounting options maybe used at any given time, with the goal being to provide the user witha maximum of convenience and choice. Any combination of the mountingholes mentioned in this paragraph or below may be included or excludedfrom a particular embodiment of the invention without departing from theinvention's scope.

Therefore, base plate 110 may define top and bottom key holes 170. Eachkey hole 170 may include a head hole that extends fully through baseplate 110. The head hole may be sized to receive a head of a fastenersuch as mounting screw 196 of FIG. 8. A shank slot also extends fullythrough base plate 110 and extends to the side from the head hole. Theshank slot may be sized so that it may receive a shank of a fastenersuch as mounting screw 196 of FIG. 8, but so that it cannot receive thehead thereof. The shank slot may be bounded on either side by ashoulder.

Referring to FIG. 8, key holes 170 may be used so that mounting screw196 or other fastener may be partially turned into each electricaldevice box hole. Base plate 110 may then be oriented so that each headhole of each key hole 170 may be aligned with a corresponding mountingscrew 196 head. Base plate 110 may then be pushed toward the electricaldevice box holes so that each mounting screw 196 head extends through acorresponding head hole. Base plate 110 may then be slid to the left sothat each shank slot receives the shank of the corresponding mountingscrew 196. Each mounting screw 196 may then be turned farther into theelectrical device box hole until the head of mounting screw 196 snuglyabuts the shoulder of the corresponding key hole 170. Base plate 110 maybe easily removed by partially loosening each mounting screw 196,sliding base plate 110 to the right so that the head of each mountingscrew 196 aligns with the corresponding head hole, and removing baseplate 110 so that each mounting screw 196 head slides through acorresponding head hole. Thus, by using key holes 170, base plate 110may be mounted and removed without fully removing the mounting screws196 from the electrical device box holes.

Base plate 110 also may define box screw hole tabs 174. Box screw holetabs 174 may comprise thinned areas of base plate 110 and may be locatedon a line parallel to the shorter sides of base plate 110 andapproximately passing through key holes 170. Thus, box screw hole tabs174 may be located one on either side of keyhole 170 and substantiallyequidistant from a head hole of key hole 170. If base plate 110 has twokey holes 170, a pair of box screw hole tabs 174 will preferentially belocated one on either side of both key holes 170, producing theconfigurations shown. The thickness of base plate 110 at box screw holetabs 174 may be approximately half or a quarter of its thicknesselsewhere, making it possible to use a sharp instrument such as a nailto punch through the material of base plate 110 at the location of boxscrew hole tabs 174, thus creating box screw mounting holes at eachlocation.

Different device screw holes may be utilized depending on theconfiguration of base plate 110. Thus, removable center tab 114 of baseplate 110 may define center mounting screw hole 178 in the duplexconfiguration of base plate 110 in FIGS. 2, 4, 8, 10-13, which also maybe bordered by protrusions 115 (as depicted in FIG. 4) that prevent baseplate from warping when a screw is used with center mounting screw hole178. GFCI mounting holes 172 may be used to mount base plate 110 on aGFCI outlet. GFCI mounting holes 172 may be centered substantially onthe longitudinal axis of base plate 110 adjacent to key holes 170. Otherconfigurations of mounting holes may also be used with base plate 110 ofthe present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2 and 8-13 specifically, convertible electricaldevice cover 100 includes adapter plate 150 with front and rear sidesthat is configured to safely accommodate an electrical device. Adapterplate 150 may be substantially rectangular (e.g. adapter plate 150 ofFIGS. 2 and 12 for a two-gang electrical device configuration and asingle-gang electrical device configuration respectively) orsubstantially square (e.g. adapter plate 150 of FIGS. 1, 8, 10-11, and13 for a single-gang electrical device configuration). However, otherpolygonal, circular, and the like adapter plate 150 shapes are withinthe scope of this invention.

Adapter plate 150 may further include at least one removable tab that,upon removal, allows conversion into or formation of at least one accessopening that is configured to accommodate at least one electricaldevice. Thus, adapter plate 150 may be a “blank” comprising a continuousnetwork of removable tabs, the removal of which may convert adapterplate 150 to accommodate a plurality of electrical devices.Alternatively, adapter plate 150 may include at least one access openingthat is configured to safely accommodate at least one electrical device.In either of these alternative embodiments, the at least one accessopening of adapter plate 110 may be generally substantially rectangularor substantially square, although other polygonal, circular, and thelike shapes are within the scope of this invention, and the at least oneaccess opening may be of sufficient size to accommodate one or moreelectrical devices in a plurality of styles and orientations. Forexample, adapter plate 150 with the at least one access opening may beconfigured to accommodate at least two electrical devices, such as inthe two-gang electrical device configuration of convertible electricaldevice cover 200 in FIG. 2.

In another embodiment of the invention, adapter plate 150 may beconfigured to abut base plate 110 of FIGS. 7-8 on all sides of largeraccess opening 134 formed by removal of the pair of removable tabs andcenter, corner, and flanking removable tabs 114, 116, and 120respectively along grooves 118. However, adapter plate 150 may beutilized with any base plate 110 access opening configuration. Forexample, adapter plate 150 may also be used with base plate portion 600of FIG. 6 as well.

Turning to FIGS. 1, 2, 8, and 10-13, adapter plate 150 configurationsillustrate various embodiments of adapter plate 150. Referring to FIGS.2, 8, and 10-13, an embodiment of adapter plate 150 may include a pairof removable tabs (not shown) that, upon removal, allow conversion intoor formation of pair of access openings 130 for receiving a duplexelectrical outlet for example. Alternatively, an embodiment of adapterplate 150 may already include access openings 130 for receiving a duplexelectrical outlet. Removable center tab 114 separating and formingportions of access openings 130 may be included, along with removablecorner tabs 116 also forming portions of access openings 130. Removablecenter tab 114 and removable corner tabs 116 may be removed alonggrooves 118 as desired to form access opening 132 for receiving a GFCIoutlet.

In FIGS. 2, 8, and 10-13, the pair of removable tabs (not shown) andremovable tabs 114 and 116 are connected to adapter plate 150 by grooves118 (shown by dark lines). Grooves 118 define the pair of removable tabs(not shown) and removable tabs 114 and 116 since removal of the pair ofremovable tabs (not shown) and removable tabs 114 and 116 may beaccomplished by breaking the material along grooves 118. By applicationof impact force, prying, or the like to a location anywhere within oradjacent to grooves 118, the pair of removable tabs (not shown) andremovable tabs 114 and 116 may be removed as desired. The dimensions andshape of grooves 118 may vary depending on the material used for adapterplate 150 and the pair of removable tabs (not shown) and tabs 114 and116. Alternatively, the pair of removable tabs (not shown) and removabletabs 114 and 116 may be connected by connecting tabs or snap-inconnections for example in place of grooves 118.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an embodiment of adapter plate 150 mayinclude a removable tab that, upon removal, allows conversion into orformation of access opening 160 configured to accommodate a toggleswitch for example. Alternatively, an embodiment of adapter plate 150may already include access opening 160 configured to accommodate atoggle switch. Substantially circular removable tab 162 forming accessopening 160 may also be included and may be removed along connectingtabs 168 to form a substantially circular access opening for receiving around outlet for example. Substantially annular removable tabs 164 mayencompass substantially circular removable tab 162. Substantiallyannular cut lines 166 successively separate substantially annularremovable tabs 164 from one another and substantially circular removabletab 162. Substantially annular cut lines 166 may be apertures thatextend through adapter plate 150. Substantially annular removable tabs164 may be removed along connecting tabs 168 to form successively largersubstantially circular access openings for receiving successively largerround outlets.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, removable tabs 162 and 164 are connected to adapterplate 150 by connecting tabs 168. Connecting tabs 168 define removabletabs 162 and 164 since removal of tabs 162 and 164 may be accomplishedby breaking the material along connecting tabs 168. By application ofimpact force, prying, or the like to a location anywhere within oradjacent to connecting tabs 168, removable tabs 162 and 164 may beremoved as desired. The dimensions and shape of connecting tabs 168 mayvary depending on the material used for tabs 162 and 164 and adapterplate 150. Alternatively, removable tabs 162 and 164 may be connected bysnap-in connections or grooves for example in place of connecting tabs168.

Not withstanding the foregoing, many other combinations of removabletabs may be defined by adapter plate 150 according to the presentinvention, the removal of which may convert adapter plate 150 toaccommodate a plurality of electrical devices. For example, adapterplate 150 may include removable tabs that yield access openings toreceive a rocker-type light switch, a modular phone jack, a cabletelevision outlet, or other electrical device. Additionally, the presentinvention may provide adapter plate 150 to be extremely versatile, suchas in the co-pending patent application to Shotey et al. entitled“UNIVERSAL COVER PLATE,” Ser. No. 09/657,352, filed Sep. 7, 2000, whichis again incorporated herein by reference. Thus, according to thisincorporated reference, adapter plate 150 may include sets of removabletabs that are configured to form access openings to receive a variety ofelectrical devices. The tab sets are bounded by tab set periphery linesthat may intersect each other, and the resulting access openings arebounded by access opening periphery lines that may intersect each other.Tab sets and potential access openings may overlap or they may includeother tab sets or potential access openings. Also, any of severaldifferent combinations of the tab sets described in the previouslyincorporated reference may be provided within adapter plate 150. Thus,for example, a top duplex tab set, a bottom duplex tab set, a lightswitch tab set, a small single round tab set, a larger single round tabset, and a GFCI tab set may all be provided together within adapterplate 150. Thus, the present invention may provide a large variety ofpossible adapter plate 150 configurations without requiring a user tostock several different electrical device covers.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, 8, and 10-13, adapter plate 150 may definevarious holes for receiving mounting screws that may be utilized tofacilitate placing convertible electrical device cover 100 in anoperative position over the electrical device. Different holes may beused depending on the configuration of the holes to which adapter plate150 will be secured. Mounting holes are generally sized and configuredto conform to the standards for electrical devices. Each of thesealternate mounting holes are provided for user convenience and toprovide a high degree of latitude in the way adapter plate 150 may beattached to electrical devices. One or more of the mounting options maybe used at any given time, with the goal being to provide the user witha maximum of convenience and choice. Any combination of the mountingholes mentioned in this paragraph or below may be included or excludedfrom a particular embodiment of the invention without departing from itsscope.

Therefore, adapter plate 150 may define different device screw holesdepending on the configuration of adapter plate 150. Thus, removablecenter tab 114 of adapter plate 150 may define center mounting screwhole 178 in the duplex configuration of adapter plate 150 in FIGS. 2 and8-13. Adapter plate 150 may also define mounting screw holes 176 in theswitch and round configurations of adapter plate 150 in FIGS. 1 and 2.Other configurations of mounting holes may also be used with adapterplate 150 of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 12 for example,adapter plate 150 may define top and bottom key holes 170, as previouslydescribed, that extend fully through adapter plate 150 and that alignwith underlying opposing top and bottom key holes 170 in base plate 110.

When convertible electrical device cover 100 is placed in an operativeposition over an electrical device, adapter plate 150 may be locatedbetween the electrical device and a rear side of base plate 110 facingthe electrical device (e.g. FIGS. 8-9 and 10-11—but not showing theelectrical device). Alternatively, when convertible electrical devicecover 100 is placed in an operative position over the electrical device,base plate 110 may be located between the electrical device and a rearside of adapter plate 150 (e.g. FIGS. 12-13—but not showing theelectrical device). In either of these embodiments, a front face of theelectrical device may be at least flush with a front side of adapterplate 150 (e.g. FIG. 9), thereby ensuring a safer operating condition.

Moreover, turning now to FIGS. 1-4 and 6-13 generally, convertibleelectrical device cover 100 may also include an engaging mechanism. Theengaging mechanism may be configured to position adapter plate 150 toaccommodate an electrical device positioned in a plurality oforientations, such as a substantially vertical orientation and at leasta substantially horizontal orientation for example. This allows a singleadapter plate 150 to be used in either orientation and therefore, may beeconomical and efficient. It may be appreciated however that a similaradvantage could be obtained by providing two separate adapter plates 150that could be positioned in base plate 110 in only either thesubstantially vertical orientation or the substantially horizontalorientation. Thus, one of adapter plates 150 may have openings for ahorizontally oriented electrical device and the other would haveopenings for a vertically oriented electrical device, but the same baseplate 110 could be used. This would not be as advantageous, but it wouldprovide the ability to accommodate both types of electrical deviceorientations with mostly the same components.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-4 and 6-13 generally, the engaging mechanismmay further be configured to removably couple a front side of adapterplate 150 to a rear side of base plate 110 facing the electrical device.Alternatively, the engaging mechanism may further be configured toremovably couple a rear side of adapter plate 150 to a front side ofbase plate 110. In either of these embodiments, a front face of theelectrical device may be held in at least a flush engagement with thefront side of adapter plate 150.

Referring to FIGS. 12-13 specifically, one embodiment of an engagingmechanism that is configured to removably couple a rear side of adapterplate 150 to a front side of base plate 110 may comprise at least oneelectrical device screw and at least one electrical device screw holeextending through adapter plate 150, wherein the at least one electricaldevice screw removably couples adapter plate 150 to the electricaldevice, thereby squashing base plate 110 between the rear side ofadapter plate 150 and the electrical device. For example, as depicted inFIGS. 12-13, the at least one electrical device screw and the at leastone electrical device screw hole could include a duplex electricaloutlet screw and a duplex electrical outlet screw hole 178. As anotherexample, the at least one electrical device screw and the at least oneelectrical device screw hole could include at least two switch screwsand at least two switch screw holes 176 as in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Referring to FIG. 12, another embodiment of an engaging mechanism thatis configured to removably couple a rear side of adapter plate 150 to afront side of base plate 110 may comprise electrical device box mountingscrews and opposing top and bottom key holes 170 that extend fullythrough adapter plate 150 and that align with underlying opposing topand bottom key holes 170 in base plate 110. Key holes 170 may be used sothat a mounting screw or other fastener may be partially turned intoeach electrical device box hole. A rear side of adapter plate 150 may beremovably coupled to a front side of base plate 110 in the followingmanner. Base plate 110 and adapter plate 150 may be oriented so thateach head hole of each key hole 170 may be aligned with a correspondingmounting screw head. Base plate 110 and adapter plate 150 may then bepushed toward the electrical device box holes so that each mountingscrew head extends through a corresponding head holes, and the processcan continue in the same manner as described previously in conjunctionwith key holes 170 of base plate 110 and in reference to FIG. 8, therebysquashing base plate 110 between adapter plate 150 and the electricaldevice. Thus, by using key holes 170, base plate 110 and adapter plate150 may not only be mounted and removed without fully removing themounting screws 196 from the electrical device box holes, but a frontface of the electrical device may be held in at least a flush engagementwith the front side of adapter plate 150.

Referring to FIG. 2 specifically, an embodiment of an engaging mechanismthat is configured to removably couple a front side of adapter plate 150to a rear side of base plate 110 may comprise at least one electricaldevice screw, at least one electrical device screw hole extendingthrough adapter plate 150, at least one adapter plate screw, and atleast one adapter plate screw hole extending through adapter plate 150.The at least one electrical device screw removably couples adapter plate150 to the electrical device and the at least one adapter plate screwremovably couples adapter plate 150 to the rear side of base plate 110.As described previously, a first part of this engaging mechanism mayinclude a duplex electrical outlet screw and a duplex electrical outletscrew hole 178 as in FIGS. 2, 8, and 10-13 and/or at least two switchscrews and at least two switch screw holes 176 as in FIGS. 1 and 2. Asthe second part of this engaging mechanism, the at least one adapterplate screw hole may comprise adapter plate screw holes 156 in thecorners of adapter plate 150 as in FIG. 2, and corresponding adapterplate screws could removably couple adapter plate 150 to correspondingunderlying portions of the rear side of base plate 110 (depicted asdashed lines).

Referring to FIGS. 1-4 and 6-13, another embodiment of the engagingmechanism that is configured to removably couple a front side of adapterplate 150 to a rear side of base plate 110 may include opposingprotrusions 142 on a rear side of base plate 110 extending outwardly toa predetermined height. The thickness of adapter plate 150 may besubstantially the same as the predetermined height of opposingprotrusions 142. When key holes 170 are utilized to mount base plate 110to an electrical box, opposing protrusions 142 prevent base plate 110from warping. Additionally, opposing protrusions 142 may define recessesin top sides of opposing protrusions 142. Such recesses also preventbase plate 110 from warping away from a flush engagement with theelectrical box by receiving screw heads.

Specifically, opposing protrusions 142 defining receiving notches 144positioned inwardly toward one another. Pins 152 may also be providedthat may be removably coupled to and extend outwardly from opposingsides of adapter plate 150. Pins 152 are configured to removably coupleinto receiving notches 144 defined in opposing protrusions 142 so that afront side of adapter plate 150 may be removably coupled to a rear sideof base plate 110 and a front face of the electrical device may be heldin at least a flush engagement with a front side of adapter plate 150.Receiving notches 144 may be located off-center of a center lineparallel to longer sides of base plate 110. Moreover, additionalreceiving notch 146 may be included, it being defined in one of opposingprotrusions 142. Likewise, additional pin 154 may be included,additional pin 154 removably coupled to and extending outwardly from aside of adapter plate 150. Additional pin 154 may be configured toremovably couple into additional receiving notch 146, thereby properlypositioning adapter plate 150 relative to opposing protrusions 142.

Yet another embodiment of the engaging mechanism that is configured toremovably couple a front side of adapter plate 150 to a rear side ofbase plate 110 may include at least two opposing rails on the rear sideof base plate 110. Adapter plate 150 may be configured to be slidablyremovably coupled between the at least two opposing rails so that afront side of adapter plate 150 may be removably coupled to a rear sideof base plate 110 and a front face of the electrical device may be heldin at least a flush engagement with a front side of adapter plate 150.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 13 specifically, an embodiment of the engagingmechanism that is configured to either removably couple a front side ofadapter plate 150 to a rear side of base plate 110, or removably couplea rear side of adapter plate 150 to a front side of base plate 110, mayinclude recess 200 configured to removably couple adapter plate 150.Recess 200 may be defined in a rear side of base plate 110 facing anelectrical device so that a front side of adapter plate 150 may beremovably coupled into recess 200 and a front face of the electricaldevice may be held in at least a flush engagement with the front side ofadapter plate 150. Alternatively, recess 200 may be defined in a frontside of base plate 110 so that a rear side of adapter plate 150 may beremovably coupled into recess 200 and a front face of the electricaldevice may be held in at least a flush engagement with the front side ofadapter plate 150.

As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 generally, convertible electrical devicecover 100 may further include at least one removable hinge removablycoupled to and extending outwardly from base plate 110. The at least onehinge may be configured to pivotally couple with at least one hinge of aprotective housing. Useful to the present invention are the protectivehousings and hinges described in the patent to Shotey et al. entitled“UNIVERSAL COVER PLATE, COVER PLATE ASSEMBLY, AND RELATED METHODS,” U.S.Pat. No. 5,763,831, and in the co-pending patent application to Shoteyet al. entitled “UNIVERSAL COVER PLATE,” Ser. No. 09/657,352, filed Sep.7, 2000, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 specifically, base plate 110 may includetwo pairs of hinges 180, one pair attached to a short side of base plate110 and one pair attached to a long side of base plate 110. Hinges 180are designed to adapt to a variety of situations depending on thedirection in which the protective housing may be opened. For example,the protective housing may be rotated around an axis formed parallel toa short side of base plate 110. Were it more desirable to let theprotective housing, when in its open position, rest at either side ofbase plate 110, rather than let it rest above base plate 110, the axisof rotation could be located parallel to a long side of base plate 110,and hinges 180 located on that side would be used. Hinges 180 arefurther designed to be removable, once the choice of rotational axis hasbeen made, in the manners generally set forth in the previouslyincorporated references.

In practice, then, it would be typical for a user of the presentinvention to remove an unused pair of hinges and leave only that pair towhich the protective cover may be to be attached. On the other hand, ifthere were a possibility that the protective cover configuration wouldchange from time to time, raising the possibility of the alternate useof multiple pairs of hinges, each pair of hinges 180 could be left inplace to serve as pivotal attachment locations when needed. Furthermore,it should be understood that the hinge configuration shown in FIGS. 1and 2 are not the only possible configuration. Hinges 180 could beplaced on any combination of the four long and short sides of base plate110, singly or in pairs.

Convertible electrical device cover 110 may also include a protectivehousing, which may be particularly useful in outdoor settings where aweatherproof cover plate may be desired. Thus, the protective housingcould provide an opening for the passage of a cord extending from a pluginserted into an electrical outlet, for example, such that the plug mayremain in the outlet and the electrical device to which the other end ofthe plug and the cord are attached may remain in operation when theprotective housing is in its closed position, thereby affording a degreeof protection from the elements or other intrusions. The presentinvention may also provide a continuous flange 182 extending outwardlyand continuously along a periphery of base plate 150 as depicted inFIGS. 1-2, 4, and 6-13. Flange 182 may be configured to accommodate theprotective housing. That is, flange 182 may provide a seat for theprotective housing when in an operative position over the base plate.However, if the protective housing is not desired the present inventionmay allow for base plate 110 without a protective housing. Therefore,all hinges 180 and flange 182 could be removed if a protective housingis not needed, or alternatively base plate 110 may be manufactured freeof them.

FIG. 14 illustrates a particular implementation of a convertibleelectrical device cover assembly 2. The cover assembly 2 of thisparticular implementation comprises a base plate 4 with a front side 6,and an adapter plate 8. The front side 6 of the base plate 4 maycomprise one or more openings 10 large enough to receive a face of anelectrical device 16 (FIG. 15). Additionally, the adapter plate 8 ismoveably, and in some implementations removably, coupled to the baseplate 4 with an engaging mechanism 12 so that, when coupled, the adapterplate 8 sits behind the front side 6 of the base plate 4. The adapterplate 8 and base plate 4 may further include one or more box mountingscrew slots 14 in the form of reentrant openings as shown in FIGS.14-17, or in the form of keyhole slots as shown in earlier figures suchas FIGS. 7 and 8, that may allow the adapter plate 8 and base plate 4 tobe fixed in position relative to one or more box mounting screws of anelectrical device. The base plate 4 may be fixed in position by slidingone or more box mounting screw slots 14 into position around one or morebox mounting screws of an electrical device. The adapter plate 8 may befixed in position by sliding one or more box mounting screw slots 14 ofthe adapter plate 8 around one or more box mounting screws of anelectrical device. Installation may be completed by moveably coupling anadapter plate 8 to the base plate 4 through an engaging mechanism 12. Inthe implementation shown in FIGS. 14-15, the engaging mechanism 12 is aslot in the base plate 4 into which the adapter plate 8 slidably fits.

Referring to FIG. 16, another particular implementation of a convertibleelectrical device cover assembly 20 is illustrated. In thisimplementation, the cover assembly 20 comprises a base plate 22 with afront side 24, and an adapter plate 26. The front side 24 of the baseplate 22 comprises one or more openings 28 each large enough to receivea face of an electrical device. The adapter plate 26 is removablycoupled to the base plate 22 with an engaging mechanism 30. Whencoupled, the adapter plate 26 sits behind the front side 24 of the baseplate 22 and, when so installed, the adapter plate 26 extends into theopening 28, and in particular implementations completes a portion of aside of the opening 28. The adapter plate 26 and base plate 22 furthercomprise one or more box mounting screw slots 32 that may allow theadapter plate 26 and base plate 22 to be held in a fixed in positionrelative to one or more box mounting screws of an electrical device. Thebase plate 22 may be fixed in position by sliding one or more boxmounting screw slots 32 into position around one or more box mountingscrews of an electrical device. The adapter plate 26 may be fixed inposition by sliding one or more box mounting screw slots 32 of theadapter plate 8 around one or more box mounting screws of an electricaldevice. The adapter plate 26 is coupled to the base plate 22 through anengagement mechanism on both adapter plate 26 and the cover plate 22.

FIGS. 17-19 illustrate another implementation of a convertibleelectrical device cover assembly. The cover assembly 40 of thisparticular implementation comprises a base plate 42 with a front side44, and an adapter plate 46. The front side 44 of the base plate 42comprises one or more openings 48 large enough to receive the face 54 ofan electrical device 56. The adapter plate 46 and base plate 42 furthercomprise one or more box mounting screw slots 52 that may allow theadapter plate 46 and base plate 42 to be held fixed in position relativeto one or more box mounting screws of an electrical device 56.Additionally, the adapter plate 46 may be coupled to the base plate 42with an engaging mechanism 50 so that, when coupled, the adapter plate46 sits behind the front side 44 of the base plate 42. The engagingmechanism 50 may movably, and in some cases removably, couple theadapter plate 46 with the base plate 42. In the particularimplementation illustrated in FIGS. 17-19, the engaging mechanism 50comprises a slot in the base into which the adapter plate 46 isinserted. In this particular implementation, the adapter plate 46 may beentrained in the base plate 42 through friction or even snappingfeatures to resist removal of the adapter plate 46 from the base plate42.

As with the examples illustrated in FIGS. 14-16, the box mounting screwslots of the base assembly may be positioned behind the yoke 56 (FIG.17) of the electrical device 54 around the box mounting screw 58.Placement of the box mounting screw slots of the base assembly behindthe yoke 56 results in the electrical device always being positionedcorrectly with respect to the wall (not shown) on which the coverassembly is installed. For implementations where a reentrant slot isused as the box mounting screw slots, this may be done without removalof the electrical device from the electrical box to complete theinstallation. Confidence in knowing that the electrical device isproperly installed in relation to the wall on which it is installed mayprovide additional safety.

The adapter plate 46 of the particular implementation of FIGS. 17-19 maybe fixed in its closed position by sliding one or more box mountingscrew slots 52 of the adapter plate 46 around one or more box mountingscrews of an electrical device. Installation may be completed by slidingthe adapter plate 46 into a locking position relative to the base plate42.

It should be understood and it is expressly contemplated that particularimplementations of the cover assembly examples of adapter platesprovided in reference to FIGS. 14-19 may be configured as while-in-usecover assemblies. Earlier implementations of a convertible electricaldevice assembly illustrate operation of a base assembly comprising abase plate and an adapter plate where the base assembly comprises one ormore hinge members on a base that may be adapted to couple with one ormore hinge members on a lid. The particular implementations of FIGS.14-19 may similarly be configured to comprise one or more hinge membersand a lid with hinge members to use the particular base assemblyimplementations shown there in a while-in-use cover assemblyconfiguration.

Components of convertible electrical device cover may be made from anyof many different types of materials. For example, a base plate and anadapter plate may be made from weather-resistant, rigid, electricallynon-conductive materials such as polycarbonate, polystyrene or otherplastic materials known in the art. A base plate and an adapter platemay also be made from corrosion-resistant metal, such as zinc,magnesium, or other metals known in the art. For example, aluminum mayalso be used, although aluminum is not particularly resistant tocorrosion in a salt water environment. Notwithstanding, a base plate andan adapter plate may be made from other materials suitable forelectrical applications. The components of an convertible electricaldevice cover may be manufactured separately and then assembled together.Base plates and adapter plates may be manufactured by injection molding,casting, milling, metal stamping, or the like. Base plates and adapterplates may then be assembled together through an installation method asdescribed below when an convertible electrical device cover is placed inan operative position over the electrical device.

Describing the installation and use of an convertible electrical devicecover further, a method for installing an convertible electrical devicecover may also be provided to safely accommodate one or more electricaldevices in one or more orientations. As depicted in FIGS. 8-9 forexample, a first embodiment of the installation method may includeplacing convertible electrical device cover 100 in an operative positionover at least one electrical device so as to locate adapter plate 150between the at least one electrical device and a rear side of base plate110. As depicted in FIG. 9, placing the convertible electrical devicecover 100 can further include holding at least one front face of the atleast one electrical device at least flush with a front side of adapterplate 150, thereby ensuring a safer operating condition.

The first installation method embodiment may further include removing atleast one removable tab of base plate 110, thereby converting base plate110 to accommodate the at least one electrical device. Specifically,removing at least one removable tab of base plate 110 can includeforming at least one access opening that is configured to accommodatethe at least one electrical device. For example, as depicted in FIGS. 4and 6, removing at least one removable tab of base plate 110 may includeremoving center removable tab 114 and corner removable tabs 116 formingpart of access openings 130 that are configured to accommodate a duplexelectrical outlet, thereby forming substantially rectangular accessopening 132 that is configured to accommodate a GFCI outlet.Additionally, removing center removable tab 114 and corner removabletabs 116 may also include removing a pair of removable tabs, therebyforming access openings 130. Moreover, as depicted in FIGS. 4 and 6-7,removing center removable tab 114 and corner removable tabs 116 may alsoinclude removing flanking removable tabs 120 forming part of pair ofaccess openings 130, thereby forming larger access opening. Then, asdepicted in FIG. 8, the first installation method embodiment may furtherinclude abutting adapter plate 150 to base plate 110 on all sides oflarger access opening 134.

The first installation method embodiment may still further includeremoving at least one removable tab of adapter plate 150, therebyconverting adapter plate 150 to accommodate the at least one electricaldevice. Specifically, removing at least one removable tab of adapterplate 150 may include forming at least one access opening that isconfigured to accommodate the at least one electrical device. Forexample, removing at least one removable tab of adapter plate 150 mayinclude removing center removable tab 114 and corner removable tabs 116forming part of access openings 130 that are configured to accommodate aduplex electrical outlet (the various removable tabs and access openingsdepicted in FIGS. 2, 8, and 10-13), thereby forming substantiallyrectangular access opening 132 that is configured to accommodate a GFCIoutlet. Additionally, removing center removable tab 114 and cornerremovable tabs 116 may also include removing a pair of removable tabs,thereby forming access openings 130.

As another example, removing at least one removable tab of adapter plate150 may further include removing substantially circular removable tab162 forming access opening 160 configured to accommodate a toggle switch(the removable tab and access opening depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2),thereby forming a substantially circular access opening that isconfigured to accommodate a round outlet. Additionally, removingsubstantially circular removable tab 162 may also include removing aremovable tab, thereby forming access opening 160 that is configured toaccommodate the toggle switch. Moreover, removing substantially circularremovable tab 162 may further include removing at least onesubstantially annular removable tab 164 encompassing at least a portionof substantially circular removable tab 162 (the removable tabs depictedin FIGS. 1 and 2), thereby forming at least one larger substantiallycircular access opening that is configured to accommodate at least onelarger round outlet.

The first installation method embodiment may further include the step ofutilizing an engaging mechanism to removably couple a front side ofadapter plate 150 to a rear side of base plate 110 so that adapter plate150 is located between the at least one electrical device and the rearside of base plate 110 when convertible electrical device cover 100 isplaced in an operative position over the at least one electrical device,and so that at least one front face of the at least one electricaldevice is held in at least a flush engagement with the front side ofadapter plate 150. Additionally, the step of utilizing an engagingmechanism may further include positioning adapter plate 150 toaccommodate the at least one electrical device positioned in a pluralityof orientations.

As partially depicted in FIGS. 12-13, a second embodiment of theinstallation method may include: removing at least one removable tab ofbase plate 110 that is configured to accommodate at least one electricaldevice, thereby converting base plate 110 to accommodate the at leastone electrical device; removing at least one removable tab of adapterplate 150 that is configured to accommodate at least one electricaldevice, thereby converting adapter plate 150 to accommodate the at leastone electrical device; and placing convertible electrical device cover100 in an operative position over at least one electrical device so asto locate base plate 110 between the at least one electrical device anda rear side of adapter plate 150. Placing the convertible electricaldevice cover 100 can further include holding at least one front face ofthe at least one electrical device at least flush with a front side ofadapter plate 150, thereby ensuring compliance with current electricalsafety standards.

Other than the just described distinctive steps, further possible stepsof the second installation method embodiment are similar to the possiblesteps of the first installation method embodiment as described above,the above description incorporated herein by reference to describe thefurther possible steps of the second installation method embodiment.Therefore, only one other different possible step between the twoinstallation method embodiments will be further described. Specifically,the second installation method embodiment may further include utilizingan engaging mechanism to removably couple a rear side of an adapterplate to a front side of a base plate so that the base plate is locatedbetween the at least one electrical device and the rear side of theadapter plate when the convertible electrical device cover is placed inan operative position over the at least one electrical device, and sothat at least one front face of the at least one electrical device isheld in at least a flush engagement with the front side of the adapterplate.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilledin the art that various changes in form and details may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Accordingly, unless otherwise specified, any components of theconvertible electrical device cover according to the present inventionindicated in the drawings or herein are given as an example of possiblecomponents and not as a limitation. Similarly, unless otherwisespecified, any steps or sequence of steps of the installation methodsaccording to the present invention indicated herein are given asexamples of possible steps or sequence of steps and not as limitations.

1. An electrical device cover comprising: a base assembly comprising anadapter plate coupled to a base plate behind a front surface of the baseplate, the base assembly further comprising at least one opening largeenough to receive a face of an electrical device therethrough, the baseassembly further comprising at least one box mounting screw slot;wherein the base assembly is configured such that after the baseassembly is installed on the electrical device, the opening in the baseassembly surrounds the face of the electrical device and the at leastone box mounting screw slot is accessible for selective tightening,loosening, and adjustment of the base assembly after the base assemblyis installed.
 2. The electrical device cover of claim 1, wherein the boxmounting screw slot extends from a front surface to a rear surface ofthe adapter plate and comprises a reentrant slot having its reentrantopening at an edge of the adapter plate.
 3. The electrical device coverof claim 2, wherein a portion of the adapter extends behind a yoke of anelectrical device after the base assembly is installed.
 4. Theelectrical device cover of claim 1, wherein the box mounting screw slotcomprises a keyhole mounting screw slot.
 5. The electrical device coverof claim 1, wherein the adapter slidably couples with the base.
 6. Theelectrical device cover of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of theadapter completes the definition of the opening in the base.
 7. Theelectrical device cover of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of theadapter extends into the opening in the base.
 8. The electrical devicecover of claim 1, wherein the adapter plate is removably coupled to thebase plate.
 9. The electrical device cover of claim 8, wherein theadapter plate is removably coupled to a rear side of the base.
 10. Theelectrical device cover of claim 8, wherein the adapter plate isremovably coupled to the base plate through a slot in the base.
 11. Theelectrical device cover of claim 10, wherein the adapter plate isslidably coupled with the slot.
 12. The electrical device cover of claim1, wherein the adapter plate is slidably coupled to a slot in the baseplate.
 13. The electrical device cover of claim 1, wherein the boxmounting screw slot comprises a keyhole mounting screw slot.
 14. Theelectrical device cover of claim 1, wherein the adapter slidably coupleswith the base.
 15. An electrical device cover comprising: a baseassembly comprising an adapter movably coupled to a base behind a frontsurface of the base, the base comprising an opening large enough toreceive a face of an electrical device therethrough, the base assemblyfurther comprising at least one box mounting screw slot; and a lidhingedly coupled to the base assembly; wherein the base assembly isconfigured such that after the base assembly is installed on theelectrical device, the opening in the base assembly surrounds the faceof the electrical device and the at least one box mounting screw slot isaccessible for selective tightening, loosening, and adjustment of a boxmounting screw in the box mounting screw slot after the base assembly isinstalled.
 16. The electrical device cover of claim 15, wherein the boxmounting screw slot extends from a front surface to a rear surface ofthe adapter plate and comprises a reentrant slot having its reentrantopening at an edge of the adapter plate.
 17. The electrical device coverof claim 16, wherein a portion of the adapter extends behind a yoke ofan electrical device after the base assembly is installed.
 18. A methodof installing an electrical device base assembly on an electricaldevice, the method comprising: placing an electrical device cover baseassembly in an operative position over the at least one electricaldevice so that at least one face of the at least one electrical deviceextends into at least one opening; coupling an adapter plate to a baseplate behind a front side of the base plate through an engagingmechanism, the base plate comprising at least one opening therethroughlarge enough to receive at least one face of at least one electricaldevice; and after coupling the adapter plate to the base plate behindthe front side of the base plate, tightening a box mounting screw forthe electrical device to secure the base assembly to an electrical boxin which the electrical device is mounted.
 19. The method of claim 18,further comprising slidably moving the adapter plate with respect to thebase plate to couple the base plate to the electrical device.
 20. Themethod of claim 18, wherein placing the electrical device cover baseassembly comprises placing a portion of the adapter plate behind a yokeof the electrical device and around the box mounting screw for theelectrical device.
 21. An electrical device cover comprising: a baseassembly comprising a base plate having a front side and a rear side,the base plate comprising side walls extending forward from the frontside, the base assembly further comprising an adapter plate coupled tothe base plate such that a front side of the adapter plate does notextend forward of the front side of the base plate, the base assemblyfurther comprising at least one opening large enough to receive a faceof an electrical device therethrough when the adapter plate is coupledto the base plate, the base assembly further comprising at least one boxmounting screw aperture; wherein the base assembly is configured suchthat after the base assembly is installed on the electrical device, theopening in the base assembly surrounds the face of the electrical deviceand the at least one box mounting screw aperture is accessible forselective tightening, loosening, and adjustment of the base assemblyafter the base assembly is installed.
 22. The electrical device cover ofclaim 21, wherein the adapter plate is further coupled to the base platesuch that the rear side of the adapter plate does not extend rearward ofthe rear side of the base plate so that the adapter plate is coupled tothe base plate between the front side and rear side of the base plate.23. The electrical device cover of claim 21, wherein the box mountingscrew aperture extends from a front surface to a rear surface of theadapter plate and comprises a reentrant slot having its reentrantopening at an edge of the adapter plate.
 24. The electrical device coverof claim 21, wherein a portion of the adapter plate extends behind ayoke of an electrical device after the base assembly is installed. 25.The electrical device cover of claim 21, wherein at least a portion ofthe adapter plate completes the definition of the opening in the base.26. The electrical device cover of claim 21, wherein at least a portionof the adapter plate extends into the opening in the base.
 27. Theelectrical device cover of claim 21, wherein the adapter plate isremovably coupled to the base plate through a slot extending through anend of the base plate.
 28. The electrical device cover of claim 27,wherein the adapter plate slides in the slot parallel with the frontsurface of the base plate.
 29. An electrical device cover comprising: abase assembly comprising a base plate having a front and a rear and atleast one end, the at least one end comprising a slot therethrough, andan adapter plate slidably coupled to the base plate through the slotsuch that a front side of the adapter plate does not extend forward ofthe front of the base plate, and the adapter plate when slidably coupledinto the slot defines at least a portion of a base assembly openinglarge enough to receive a face of an electrical device, the baseassembly further comprising at least one box mounting screw aperture;wherein the base assembly is configured such that after the baseassembly is installed on the electrical device, the opening in the baseassembly surrounds the face of the electrical device and the at leastone box mounting screw aperture is accessible for selective tightening,loosening, and adjustment of the base assembly after the base assemblyis installed.
 30. The electrical device cover of claim 29, wherein theslot in the at least one end comprises an open edge adjacent the rear ofthe base plate.
 31. The electrical device cover of claim 29, wherein thebox mounting screw aperture extends from a front surface to a rearsurface of the adapter plate.
 32. The electrical device cover of claim29, wherein a portion of the adapter plate extends behind a yoke of anelectrical device after the base assembly is installed.
 33. Theelectrical device cover of claim 29, wherein the adapter plate isremovably coupled to the base plate through the slot in the end of thebase plate.
 34. The electrical device cover of claim 29, wherein theadapter plate slides in the slot parallel with the rear of the baseplate.